Cooking with Fire Episode 13: Moink Balls

Josh Cary and Chef Tom Jackson cook up one of their favorite appetizers for New Year’s Eve… Moink Balls.

Moink Balls Recipe

Ingredients

• 24 frozen Italian meatballs
• 12 slices center cut bacon

For the BBQ Rub

• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup paprika
• 1/4 cup kosher salt
• 3 tbsp ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp cayenne

For the BBQ Sauce

• 2 1/4 cups ketchup
• 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 6 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp kosher salt
• 2 tsp celery seeds
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp cayenne
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat a charcoal grill for high heat grilling (400°F-500°F). Bank the coals to one side, so you also have an indirect grilling area.

Wrap 1/2 a slice of bacon around each meatball and secure with a toothpick. Mix the ingredients for the rub. Season the moink balls with the rub. Grill over direct heat, turning to crisp all the bacon. Move the moink balls to indirect heat and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

While the meatballs cook, combine the BBQ sauce ingredients in a saucepan and warm to dissolve the sugar and salt. Immediately after removing the moink balls from the grill, pour some sauce over them and toss to coat.